Meet Pam Dodgen | President of Owen Care

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pam Dodgen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pam, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want to leave a legacy rooted in service, compassion, and the spreading of love, kindness and goodwill. I hope to be remembered as someone who consistently sought to uplift others, whose genuine care for people was evident in every smile I tried to inspire. My greatest joy has always been witnessing the success of others, as I believe that when those around you shine, their light naturally reflects on you as well.

What should our readers know about your business?
Owen Care, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to training and providing the highest quality service dogs that enhance the lives, independence, and self-esteem of adults and children with mobility impairments and for children on the autism spectrum.

At Owen, we envision a world of true inclusion and acceptance, where service dogs empower individuals with disabilities, transforming lives and developing profound, life-changing companionships.

Owen Care was founded in 2010 in Mexico City with a mission to train and provide service dogs to adults and children with disabilities and medical condition. Owen Care in Mexico laid the groundwork for what would become Owen Care Corporation in the United States. In late 2022, Owen Care evolved and expanded into a 501c3 public charity in the USA, but it wasn’t until January 2024 that I joined Owen Care USA. I am now playing a crucial role in expanding its operations in the United States.

Owen Care USA started in the United States with a focused mission to train and provide mobility service dogs with a specific focus on supporting our injured veterans and first responders as well as people with mobility disabilities, but because the demand in Mexico City for autism service dogs has continued to grow exponentially, to help address this need, Owen Care USA is offering financial support through grants. This initiative is designed to ease the burden on families and ensure they can access the life-changing benefits of a service dog more quickly.

As the President of Owen Care, I am always excited to meet new people and start each day knowing I have the opportunity to learn from others and to make a difference in someone’s life. I pour my heart and soul into what I do because I understand the impact that caring, kindness, and listening can have on others, especially when combined with the incredible work a service dog can provide. It is this outcome that inspires me to work as hard as I can every day.

As both an individual and a leader, the most important principle I hold is the commitment to upholding the highest standards of morals, ethics, and values. To me, it is essential to never lose sight of the people we serve and the purpose that brought me to the organization in the first place. Respect for those around me is critical. This includes the honor and appreciation I extend to the people within our organization and the people we serve. In life, I believe that a strong foundation starts from within so when we cultivate a supportive, nurturing work environment, it naturally extends into how we serve and build relationships with those outside.

Challenges are an inevitable part of any journey. Life isn’t linear and often surprises us when we least expect it. Some days are tough, but I remind myself that the outcome isn’t what truly matters, it is the lessons I learn and the personal and professional growth I learned along the way.

At Owen Care we envision a world of true inclusion and acceptance, where our service dogs empower individuals with disabilities, transforming lives and developing profound, life-changing companionships. Moving forward, we want to do more outreach and education to the public about the life-changing work that service dogs do. I truly believe in building a more inclusive, kinder, and gentler world, one step at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a tough one because most visitors might want to see the popular spots, but I prefer places that make me feel good. If my best friend were visiting, here’s what our itinerary might look like:

Day 1
Malibu
Maybe Lunch at Le Cafe de la Plage
Walking on the beach
Some shopping at Malibu Village
Depending on the mood we would stop by at a local bar and have a drink and watch the sunset.

Day 2
Beverly Hills
I would start with a Mani/Pedi at Townhouse
A blow dry at the Dry Bar
Lunch at Dante at the Maybourne Hotel
Lots of Walking and some shopping
Drinks and dinner at Funke

Day 3
Manhattan Beach
Walk the beach for hours
Find a cute little cafe for lunch
Dinner at Spire 73 in Downtown LA at the Intercontinental Hotel for the most incredible LA views

Day 4
Disneyland

Day 5
Orange County
I would spend the day in Newport Beach
Balboa Island walking and have a Balboa Bar.
Then head to an early dinner at Mosaic at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach

Day 6
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park for the views
Then head to Santa Monica and walk 3rd street Promenade
Then head back to Beverly Hills for dinner to Grill on the Alley for the best Pot Pie in the city.

Day 7
Catalina Island
Rent a Cabana at Descanso Beach and spend the day relaxing, eating and drinking and walking.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I see my journey as a series of puzzle pieces, each falling into place at its own perfect time, gradually revealing the person I’ve become. Every encounter, every soul I’ve met, has gifted me something precious, shaping my life and the way I move through the world. Through the highs that lifted me and the lows that tested my spirit, each experience has illuminated a deeper part of myself, leading me to this moment. My deepest gratitude belongs to my husband, whose unwavering patience, and quiet strength have been my anchor on this wild ride I call life, and whom I admire beyond words.

Website: https://www.owencareusa.org/

Instagram: @usaowencare

Image Credits
Fernando Perez and Owen Care Staff